Communicable Disease

Director: Keith Higman

How to prepare yourself for disaster/bird flu

Emergency preparedness is a process for most of us and not a one day event. Preparedness for one disaster is preparedness for most disasters. The items listed below are in no particular order.

First: Educate yourself on the most likely risks. Here in the Pacific Northwest, our highest risks are considered to be tsunamis, floods, earthquakes and pandemic flu. If a tsunami, flood or earthquake hit your home you may be forced to evacuate. However, if the risk is pandemic flu you may wish to stay in your home for prolonged periods of time.

Second: Decide where you will store your supplies. Storage needs to be accessible and dry. Gather together those items you may need. Skagit County Public Health Department has made a cumulative list of suggested items for you to gather together. NOTE this list is for one person for three days. With concerns about pandemic flu in the headlines you should strive to be prepared for up to six weeks. Again most people cannot just go buy those bird flu items they need all at once but slowly over weeks and months most should be able to put some items away for emergencies.

Third: Create an emergency plan including where you would meet and who you would call (preferably out of the area). Include contact information (like your doctor) in your emergency kit. Think both about having to leave your home and also staying home for prolonged periods. Plan what to do if you are taking care of someone at home with the flu. (A plan might include using only one room for the sick, have ventilation to the outside, and plans for only one person to provide care.) See below for links.

Fourth: Help protect yourself and others: use good health habits. Take these simple precautions to help prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory disease:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer.
Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
Use a tissue to wipe your nose.
Stay home to avoid spreading germs if you or your family members are coughing, sneezing or have aches or fever associated with the flu.
Wear a mask to cover your face in a medical office, if asked.
Get your flu shot annually.
Ask your doctor about a pneumonia shot.
Cough or sneeze into your arm.

For more tips on preventing the spread of germs, see the Preventing the Spread of Germs fact sheet from the Washington State Department of Health.

Fifth: Be good neighbor and share your ideas for preparation with others. Know your neighbors, who can't get out, who will need help. Keep an eye on them.

Sixth: Consider First Aid, or disaster training from the American Red Cross, or (CERT) Community Emergency Response Training from the DEM.

LINKS

Home Care of the Sick
www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_flu-pandemic-home-care.htm
Pandemic Home Care
Pandemichomecare.pdf
Flu Preparedness For Businesses
http://emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_business.shtml